Racquetball Runs Through Their Veins

To many Central Floridians, racquetball is a hobby, a great way to beat the heat. To Orlando's Diane Bullard and Scott Richbourg, the sport means much more.

It is their lives.

Bullard, 26, is the state's top-ranked and world's ninth-ranked female player. Richbourg, 17, is the nation's top-ranked junior player, winning the U.S. National Junior Championships Wednesday in Newport Beach, Calif.

A former tennis standout at Gainesville Buchholz High School, Bullard changed sports six years ago and has been virtually unbeatable since.

''I got pretty tired of tennis,'' said Bullard, assistant manager of Orlando Tennis and Racquet Club. ''Racquetball is faster. You get more exercise in a shorter period of time, and I'm a fanatic about that.''

Bullard credits tennis for her great hand-eye coordination in racquetball and frowns when people say the racket sports have nothing in common.

''As much as the sports are different, they have that much similarity, too,'' she said.

After six months of practice, Bullard started competing in amateur tournaments -- and winning them. Three years later, she turned professional.

Today, she eats, drinks and sleeps the sport.

Bullard plays at least four days a week for at least two hours a day. Most of her training consists of off-court conditioning work.

She took a job at the Orlando Tennis and Racquet Club about four months ago to dedicate more time to racquetball.

Bullard was hired by club manager Julie Pinnell, her national doubles partner. They have won two national doubles championships. Bullard also has won two national singles titles.

Bullard's experience separates her from most of her opponents. ''I probably have more experience on different levels than any other woman in Florida,'' said Bullard, 5 feet 5 and 108 pounds.

The highlight of Bullard's career might have been her second-place finish last month at the Ektelon Nationals in Anaheim, Calif. After cruising through the early rounds, Bullard didn't lose until she met the world's top-ranked player, Lynn Adams, in the championship.

Last year, an injury put Bullard's playing career in jeopardy. After getting hit in the eye with a racquetball, she was sidelined from the professional tour for a year. Last month's tournament was her first event since returning to competition.

Bullard said the injury taught her a valuable lesson the hard way: Wear protective goggles.

''I used to consider them an annoyance, and I didn't want to take the time to get used to them,'' she said. ''But I realized that one shot could blow my career.''

Now nothing stands in her way.

''My goal is to be the best player I can, regardless of where I'm ranked,'' Bullard said. ''As long as I keep improving, I'll be satisfied.''

Richbourg can be found on a racquetball court four or five days a week, three or four hours a day. A senior-to-be at Winter Garden West Orange High School with a 3.7 grade-point average, he doesn't even study that much.

''Racquetball is the biggest thing in my life,'' said Richbourg, who has been playing five years. ''It seems like it's all I do.''

He doesn't regret it, either.

''Sometimes I feel I'm missing out on other things. I remember when school ended, many of my friends were at the beach, and I was on the court practicing. But racquetball makes up for it,'' said Richbourg, whose father, Bill, is a former University of Florida football player.

Richbourg, 5-10, 160, also has made a habit of winning. In addition to the U.S. Junior Nationals, he won the State Junior Championship in March and the Southeastern Junior Regionals in May. He also has won several open tournaments, featuring players from the highest amateur division.

Quickness and patience are his assets.

''My quickness on the court surprises everybody,'' said Richbourg, who defeated Tim Doyle of New York, 6-15, 15-13, 16-14, for the national junior title. ''People have difficulty putting shots away against me.

''I also have a lot of patience. When a game comes down to the wire, my opponents will make mistakes and I won't.''

Despite his age, Richbourg can play this year in the junior (16-and- under) division because he didn't turn 17 until after Jan. 1. Next year, though, he must move up to the 18-and-under division.

''It will be tougher, but not that much tougher,'' he said. ''My main competition in juniors also will be playing 18-and-under next year. And to be honest, the 16-and-under players overall are stronger than the 18-and- unders.''

Richbourg said he hopes to make a career out of racquetball. Depending on how he fares in upcoming open tournaments, he may turn professional by the end of next year. If he doesn't, he plans to play in college and then turn pro.